# Spool vs BlockRot

The clearest difference is monetization model: BlockRot at free with in-app purchases against Spool's subscription. BlockRot also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (daily vs every 10 days). Spool's advantage is review sentiment (73% vs 62%). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Spool sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and BlockRot sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

BlockRot holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 171 and 387 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 73% of Spool's written reviews are positive against 62% of BlockRot's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Spool ships an update every 10 days, BlockRot daily. Both last shipped on October 12, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Spool | BlockRot |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (171 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spool-screen-time-control/id6749428484/reviews) | **[4.7 (387 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blockrot-screen-time-control/id6761429056/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 171 | **387** |
| Positive reviews | **73.3% of reviews** | 62.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days | **Daily** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 406 MB | 241 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.6** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Prafull Sharma](https://appshunter.io/developer/1830399976) | [Matthew Heester](https://appshunter.io/developer/1834464869) |

## What reviewers say

### Spool

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spool-screen-time-control/id6749428484)

This app helps you break free from excessive screen time by making you pause and justify your phone usage. It uses research-backed techniques to disrupt habit loops and offers instant blocking for apps and websites to help you reclaim focus and improve mental clarity.

**Highlights:** Justify phone usage before scrolling, AI-powered trigger insights, Identify peak phone usage times, Instant app and website blocking, Reclaim focus and mental clarity

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Spool Features Weekly Subscription | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Full Access: Monthly | $7.99 | per month |
| Spool Premium Annual | $19.99 | per year |
| Full Access: Limited Time Offer | $34.99 | per year |
| Full Access: Yearly | $34.99 | per year |
| Full Access: Yearly | $44.99 | per year |
| Full Access: Yearly | $44.99 | per year |


### BlockRot

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blockrot-screen-time-control/id6761429056)

This app helps users break free from phone addiction and reclaim focus by rewarding healthy real-life habits with screen time. It uses a unique gem system and a virtual companion to motivate users to build discipline and reverse the effects of excessive digital consumption.

**Highlights:** Rot Gems system for earning screen time, Penguin companion for motivation, Photo-based task verification, 30+ healthy habit tasks, App blocking via Apple Screen Time, Private and secure by default

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Weekly | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Yearly | $24.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly | $24.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly | $79.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly | $79.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Spool free?

Spool is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is BlockRot free?

BlockRot is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Spool or BlockRot?

BlockRot is rated higher. Spool averages 4.5 out of 5 from 171 ratings, while BlockRot averages 4.7 from 387 ratings.

### Do Spool or BlockRot have ads?

Spool shows ads; BlockRot does not.

### Which is updated more often, Spool or BlockRot?

Spool ships an update every 10 days, and BlockRot daily. Most recently, Spool was updated on October 12, 2026 and BlockRot on October 12, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*